Yesterday the President met with Senate Democrats to urge passage of the health care reform bill. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky released the following fact check. It’s worth reading. Note especially the increases in health care costs because of the bill – that excerpt is included below.

Fact Checking Claims That The Dem Bill Will, “Reduce The Costs Of Health Care,” “Families Will Save On Their Premiums,” “Businesses … Will Save,” And It Will “Strengthen Medicare”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “We Agree On Reforms That Will Finally Reduce The Costs Of Health Care. Families Will Save On Their Premiums. Businesses That Will See Their Costs Rise If We Do Nothing Will Save Money Now And In The Future. This Plan Will Strengthen Medicare And Extend The Life Of That Program.” (President Obama, Remarks, 12/15/09)

FACT CHECK: “REDUCE THE COSTS OF HEALTH CARE”

Health Care Costs Increase

CHRISTINA ROMER, Chair Of The President’s Council Of Economic Advisers: “Of Course, That’s Going To Up The Level Of Health Care Spending” “We are going to be expanding coverage to some 30 million Americans. And, of course, that’s going to up the level of health-care spending. You can’t do that and not spend more.” (“White House Says Reform Would Slow Growth Of Health-Care Costs,” The Washington Post, 12/14/09)

CMS: “This Bill Would Increase [Health Expenditures] By An Estimated Total Of $234 Billion”

CMS: “…We Estimate That Total National Health Expenditures Under This Bill Would Increase By An Estimated Total Of $234 Billion (0.7 Percent) During Calendar Years 2010-2019…” (“Estimated Financial Effects Of The ‘Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act Of 2009,’ As Proposed By The Senate Majority Leader On November 18, 2009,” Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services, P.4, 12/10/09)

CBO: SENATE BILL INCREASES HEALTH CARE COSTS

CBO: “Under The Legislation, Federal Outlays For Health Care Would Increase During The 2010–2019 Period, As Would The Federal Budgetary Commitment To Health Care. The net increase in that commitment would be about $160 billion over 10 years, driven primarily by the $848 billion gross cost of the coverage expansions (including increases in both outlays and tax credits).” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 16)

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